SIU planning big construction

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Southern Illinois University expects to begin formal planning this fall for a massive construction plan that includes building a new football stadium and renovating the basketball arena, the school's chancellor said.

Walter Wendler said Friday that SIU has the money to start the project -- dubbed "Saluki Way" -- and has targeted an October 2008 ground breaking. But he stressed that the school will not rush into the project's first phase, which is expected to cost about $100 million.

"We're going to think about it and make sure we've got everything right," he said.

SIU's board of trustees on Tuesday approved a $54-a-semester increase in the student athletics fee that mostly would be used to help pay for the project's first phase, which includes a $43 million football stadium.